'Stupidity of people' putting Mayo first responders lives at risk claims councillor

A West Mayo councillor has questioned the 'stupidity of people' who put their lives and the lives of first responders in danger by getting themselves into dangerous situations.

A presentation by the Westport Coast Guard unit was given to local councillors at the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District meeting which was held in the new €6.8 million state of the art Coast Guard station at The Quay in Westport.

During the presentation, Noel Brett, the officer in charge of the Westport Coast Guard unit gave an outline of what the unit does and commented that the 27 members of the unit were all volunteers and were on call 24 hours a day.

The commitment of the Coast Guard units in Mayo were praised by the local councillors but Westport-based councillor Peter Flynn questioned how some people allowed themselves to be put in positions where they have to be rescued.

“When you read the newspapers at times, be it on the sea or in the mountains, you kind of have to wonder at the stupidity of people. I think people really do need to take into account what they do and the responsibilities that they carry with them when they go onto the sea or into the hills and it has consequences for all the volunteers and the professional people involved in the emergency services. I just want to thank them and for them to continue the great work they are doing,” said Cllr Flynn.

The new Coast Guard station at Westport Quay was officially opened on March 7, 2026 after a site was provided for the building by Mayo County Council.

Mr Brett said the unit covers from Killary Harbour across to Mulranny and includes all the islands in Clew Bay but over half their calls are in inland areas including to east and south Mayo. He said they work with their Coast Guard colleagues in the Achill, Ballyglass, Cleggan and Killala units and take part in training with the other emergency services such as An Garda Siochána, the Mayo Fire Service, Mayo Mountain Rescue, the ambulance service and the local RNLI stations in Achill, Clifden and Ballyglass.

The Westport Coast Guard unit has an eight metre RIB which carries a crew of six and can reach Clare Island in under 20 minutes. Mr Brett said the boat is stationed on a pontoon and praised the officials of Mayo County Council for giving permission for it.

“When we got that floating pontoon which we drive onto, our launch time is now 16 minutes faster than a trailer. That is the kind of thing that Mayo County Council can quietly do that makes such a difference. If you are out there taking on water, 16 minutes is a long time so huge credit must go to Mayo County Council that you have the vision and flexibility to fit this in,” he said, adding that the local authority officials and outdoor staff are a pleasure to deal with.

Mr Brett also praised the number of female volunteers in their unit and outlined that they are the only unit in the country that can put out an all female boat rescue team and they are a role model for women in the county.